Thailand and Cambodia Sign Ceasefire Agreement as Trump Visits ASEAN Summit
Thailand and Cambodia signed an expanded ceasefire agreement today, October 26, 2025, in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, with U.S. President Donald Trump in attendance, aiming to resolve long-standing border disputes.
The agreement, formalized during the 47th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit, outlines Thailand’s release of Cambodian prisoners and Cambodia’s planned withdrawal of heavy artillery as initial steps toward de-escalation. Regional observers will monitor compliance to prevent renewed conflict. This agreement follows months of skirmishes along the contested border, which have displaced thousands and strained regional stability. “We did something that a lot of people said couldn’t be done,” Trump stated. Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet hailed it as a “historic day,” while Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said the agreement lays “the building blocks for a lasting peace.”
Trump’s presence and prior threats of economic pressure – specifically tariffs – are widely credited with spurring negotiations. According to Ou Virak, president of Phnom Penh’s Future Forum think tank, “The fact that Trump was holding the tariff card was actually very, very significant…That’s probably the main reason why the two sides agreed immediately to the ceasefire.” The trip also includes planned meetings with leaders from Japan, South Korea, and potentially China, offering Trump an opportunity to showcase his dealmaking abilities amidst domestic political challenges. For more information on the ASEAN summit, visit the official ASEAN website.
Beyond the ceasefire, Trump signed economic agreements with Cambodia, Thailand, and Malaysia, focusing on trade involving critical minerals as the U.S. seeks to diversify its supply chains away from China. U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer emphasized the importance of “secure supply chains, for the quality of life, for our people and security.” Discussions with Chinese leader Xi Jinping, expected in South Korea, will center on issues like fentanyl trafficking and soybean sales, potentially impacting the ongoing U.S.-China trade relationship.
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim expressed optimism that the agreement demonstrates the power of reconciliation, stating, “it reminds us that reconciliation is not concession, but an act of courage.” Officials indicated that work to fully resolve the border dispute and build lasting peace has only just begun.
